3h Whale Watching Private tour Beneteau Oceanis 440

Pilot whales are the main event here, and the south coast of Tenerife is one of the few places where you can look for resident groups in open Atlantic water. Recent outings have brought close views of pilot whales and dolphins, including a family group with three young boys who saw plenty of both. The boat leaves Puerto Colón under sail, then pauses at a quieter sea stop before returning along the coast.

I like the private format, which gives your group the whole 44-foot-class sailing boat rather than placing you in a crowded shared excursion. I also like the generous spread of local cheese, salami, jams, olives, hummus, Canarian mojo, bread, fruit, nuts, and cold drinks. The main consideration is the three-hour limit: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the time passes quickly once you add sailing, whale watching, food, and snorkeling.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the central wildlife target, with dolphins and turtles also possible.
• The private boat takes up to 11 people, making the $648 group price better value for a larger party.
• Puerto Colón is the departure point, with free van pickup from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos for up to eight people.
• The Oceanis 44 has shade, indoor seating, cabins, bathrooms, a kitchen, solar panels, and water storage, so this is more comfortable than a basic open boat.
• Snorkeling equipment, local food, and cold drinks are included, with a 30-minute stop near Los Cristianos.
• The tour is available in English, Spanish, and Italian, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Setting sail from Puerto Colón

Your outing begins at Gate 5 in Puerto Colón, the marina at the heart of Costa Adeje’s resort coast. This is a practical starting point because it puts you close to the main hotel areas, and pickup is offered from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos.

The free van can carry up to eight people. That matters if your private group is larger than eight, since the van is not sized for the full boat capacity. A group of nine to 11 may need to arrange the final part of its journey to the marina, so check that detail before you assume everyone can ride together.

Once aboard Madoudou, you have a proper sailing yacht rather than a small open craft. The boat is described as a Beneteau Oceanis 440, Oceanis 44, and 14-meter sailing boat, with the detailed description giving a length of about 12 meters. In practical terms, think of a roomy sailing yacht built for comfort on open water.

The first section takes about 45 minutes toward the Costa Adeje coast. If the wind is useful, the crew plans to set full sail. That gives you the pleasant, quiet rhythm of a sailing trip, though actual speed and sail time will depend on the conditions. The boat also has an awning and a roof, so you can get out of the sun without giving up the view.

A comfortable yacht for a small private group

The value of this trip rests partly on the boat itself. You are not simply paying for a short ride and a chance sighting. The Oceanis has a large living area with a table for eight and two sofas, along with an outside table under an awning.

That layout gives you options. You can sit outside while the boat is moving, shelter from strong sun under the roof, or use the indoor area when the sea feels cooler. A private group can also spread out more easily than it could on a standard shared whale-watching boat.

The yacht has several cabins with wardrobes, drawers, and storage space. The aft cabins have direct access to bathrooms with showers and hot water. You will not need these facilities for a three-hour trip in the same way you would on a multi-day cruise, but they show the boat was designed for longer passages and onboard living.

There is also a full cooking area with three burners, two sinks, an oven, and two refrigerators. Solar panels provide onboard energy independence, while the boat carries up to 900 liters of water. Those specifications are more useful as signs of a well-equipped vessel than as features you will actively use during a short excursion.

One practical point: comfort on a sailing boat is still different from comfort on land. You may feel the movement of the sea, particularly while watching for wildlife or during the swim stop. If you are prone to seasickness, keep your usual precautions in mind, although the boat’s size and covered areas should feel more stable than a small rigid boat.

Searching for pilot whales in Tenerife’s Atlantic waters

After the first sailing stretch, the crew heads toward a quieter sea area for about 20 minutes of dolphin and whale watching. The boat has authorization for whale watching in the south of Tenerife, and pilot whales are the species most closely associated with this excursion.

Pilot whales live in the waters around the Canary Islands, so the search is not based only on a rare passing sighting. Even so, wildlife remains wildlife. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, or turtles, but no responsible operator can promise an exact number, distance, or length of encounter.

The best part of a private outing is the ability to keep the mood relaxed. You can watch from the bow, sit under the shade, or move around the boat without competing with a large crowd for every view. Your guide can also focus explanations on your group, with commentary available in English, Spanish, or Italian.

A particularly strong wildlife result has been close views of many pilot whales along with dolphins. That makes this trip especially appealing if whales are your main reason for booking. The boat’s authorization and local operating area also mean the outing is designed around the marine life of Tenerife rather than being a general coastal cruise.

Still, do not treat the whale-watching section as an aquarium visit. You may spend part of the time scanning the sea, waiting, and moving to another area. That waiting is part of the experience, but it can feel long to young children if the animals stay out of sight.

The 50-minute coastal cruise

The itinerary then allows about 50 minutes aboard the yacht before the final stop near Los Cristianos. This is the part of the trip with the least fixed detail, which is actually useful to understand before booking.

The boat continues along the coast, giving you time to enjoy Tenerife from the water. The island’s south coast is shaped by volcanic rock and open Atlantic conditions, and the view changes when you leave the crowded marina behind. You can use this stretch to take photographs, sit under the awning, or enjoy a drink and the onboard food.

Because the group is private, the pace should feel less rushed than a large scheduled boat excursion, though the total tour still has a firm three-hour frame. If your priority is wildlife, this extra cruising time supports the search. If your priority is swimming, you will want to make the most of the later stop.

The boat has an outboard raft as well as its main sailing setup. The supplied information does not explain whether passengers use the raft during this specific tour, so you should not book expecting a separate raft excursion. The main attraction remains the sailing yacht, wildlife search, and sea stop.

Snorkeling and local food near Los Cristianos

The final scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes near Los Cristianos. Here you can take a break, use the available snorkeling equipment, and get into the water if conditions and the crew allow it.

This is a short swim stop, not a long snorkeling session. You will have enough time for a quick swim and a look below the surface, but not necessarily enough time for a relaxed, extended water exploration. Bring a towel, as requested, and remember that the boat may still be moving gently even when anchored or paused.

Food is one of the better touches. The crew serves a generous selection of local and casual snacks, including various cheeses, mixed local salami, jams, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo sauce, breads, fresh items, and nuts. This is not described as a full meal, but it is far more substantial than a small packet of crackers.

Drinks include cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water. The selection works well for a mixed group, although anyone choosing alcohol should remember that the trip includes sailing and a swim stop. If you are traveling with children, the soft drinks and broad snack selection make the boat easier to share as a family.

One recent outing included six adults and three children between four and six years old. The group saw pilot whales and dolphins and enjoyed the boat together. That is encouraging for families, but the tour still asks young children to remain comfortable on a moving boat and wait patiently during wildlife watching.

What the $648 private price really means

The advertised price is $648 for the group, up to 11 people. For two people, that is an expensive three-hour outing. For six people, it works out to $108 per person. For 11 people, the equivalent cost drops to about $59 per person.

That makes the group size the key value question. A family reunion, group of friends, or small celebration can make good use of the private booking. You get the boat, wildlife search, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling equipment without paying separate individual fares for a large party.

The price also includes a more comfortable yacht with indoor and outdoor areas, bathrooms, shade, and a kitchen. Those are meaningful advantages if you want time on the boat to feel like part of the outing rather than merely transportation to a whale-watching point.

For a couple or a very small group, I would compare the total price with shared whale-watching trips in the area. The private boat offers privacy and control, but you are paying for the whole vessel, not just two seats. The strongest value comes when you can fill most of the available places.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would choose this excursion for a group that wants several experiences in one short outing. You get sailing, wildlife watching, a coastal cruise, swimming, snacks, and drinks, rather than a single-purpose boat ride.

It suits families particularly well if the children are comfortable on the water and can manage a period of waiting. The private format helps because your group does not need to match the mood of dozens of other passengers. The covered areas and spacious interior also give you a place to regroup.

It is a good fit for friends who want a relaxed afternoon or sunset-style outing, especially since one reported trip combined whale watching, a swim, and beautiful evening light. The boat is also a sensible choice for people who prefer a yacht with proper facilities over a basic open vessel.

I would think twice if you want a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed whale encounter, or a full-day sailing adventure. Three hours is enough for a sampler, but the schedule is tight. The wildlife search alone can use much of the available time.

Practical details that make the day easier

Meet at Puerto Colón, Gate 5. If you are using the free pickup, confirm that your accommodation is within Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, or Los Cristianos, and remember that the van holds a maximum of eight people.

Bring a sun hat and towel. The yacht provides shade, but you will still spend time outdoors, and the Canary Islands sun can be strong. Snorkeling equipment is available, so you do not need to bring your own gear for the planned swim stop.

The tour runs for three hours, with starting times based on availability. It is a private group activity, and the guide can operate in Italian, Spanish, or English. The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

The overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 from six ratings, with especially strong praise for close pilot whale sightings, dolphins, the swimming stop, and the guide. Those are the parts I would put most weight on when deciding if the experience matches your priorities.

Should you book Madoudou’s private whale-watching sail?

Book it if you can share the $648 cost across a medium or large group and want a comfortable, private boat with a real chance of seeing resident pilot whales. The mix of wildlife, sailing, local snacks, and a short swim makes good use of three hours.

I would not book it solely for snorkeling, since that stop is only about 30 minutes. I would also keep expectations sensible about wildlife. The best reason to choose this trip is the combination: a proper sailing yacht, open Atlantic views, pilot whale watching, and time together away from the marina crowds.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, Gate 5, in the south of Tenerife.

How long is the excursion?

The excursion lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Free van pickup is available from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos. The van has a maximum capacity of eight people.

Which animals might I see?

The main target is the pilot whale. You might also see dolphins and turtles.

Is food included?

Yes. Local snacks such as cheeses, salami, jams, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo sauce, breads, fresh items, and nuts are included.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for the stop near Los Cristianos. Bring your own towel and sun hat.

What languages are available?

The tour is available in Italian, Spanish, and English.